Creating Cast Beam User Pattern

You can create cast beams at required locations.

Before you begin: Create a geometrical set or an ordered geometrical set containing lines, curves, rectangular patterns, circular patterns, user patterns or axis systems on which you want to place the structural members.
  1. From the Concrete section of the action bar, click Cast Beam User Pattern .
  2. To create a cast beam with a standard shape, perform the following steps:
    1. In the Cast Beam User Pattern dialog box, from Shape, choose one of the following:

      Option Name


      		Round


      		Square


      		Rectangle

    2. Depending on the beam shape, specify the beam dimensions as follows.

      For beam shape: Click to set the desired dimension:
      Round Diameter
      Square Width
      Rectangle Width and Depth

  3. To create a cast beam using a cross section defined by an object type, perform the following steps:
    1. In the Cast Beam User Pattern dialog box, to select source, click Object Type .
    2. Click and select an object type from the list of imported object types.

      Notes:
      • Import an object type before creating the member. You can import an existing object type or create a new object type. For more information, see Building and Civil Assemblies User's Guide: Defining Object Type.
      • To undefine the object type, you can click .

    3. Click to display the graphic help of the object type.
    4. In the Size list, select the required size for the beam.

    The out of the box object types are found at Startup\Structure\ObjectTypes.

    To install additional content, select Install Optional Content Now.

    The SDD_DSA_Object_Type.3dxml file (for the DSA collection corresponding to the AISC standard) makes all the shapes available with a single import. The best practice is to import the 3dxml files with the option As Reference.

  4. In the Position box, select a geometrical set or an ordered geometrical set.

    Important: Select a geometrical set which is different from and not contained in the in-work geometrical set.

  5. In the Direction box, select a line, plane, or an axis system to specify the direction of the structural member.

    Notes:
    • You can click Reverse to reverse the direction of the member.
    • The direction specifies the orientation of the local V axis of the member. Thus you can control the base rotation of the member around its axis. This is useful when attempting to orient a number of members on wires in the same direction.

  6. To create a cast beam pattern in a new geometrical set, select the Create in a new geometrical set check box.
  7. To change the zero angle orientation for the beam, click either:
    • Snap Rotation Counterclockwise
    • Snap Rotation Clockwise

    For a beam, the zero angle orientation is the base orientation to which the system applies the rotation. Use this option to reorient the beam. The beam reorients 90 degrees about the axis.

  8. Align the beam.
    1. To align the beam along the V axis, click one of the following:

      Option Description
      V plus

      		 Positions the beam with the wire on the +V side of the beam.
      V center

      		 Positions the beam with the wire centered on the V axis of the beam.
      V minus

      		 Positions the beam with the wire on the -V side of the beam.

    2. To align the beam along the U axis, click one of the following:

      Option Description
      U plus

      		 Positions the beam with the wire on +U side of the beam.
      U center

      		 Positions the beam with the wire centered on the U axis of the beam.
      U minus

      		 Positions the beam with the wire on the -U side of the beam.

  9. To set additional options, expand Options and specify the corresponding values:
    1. From End 1 trim, enter or select the trim dimension of end 1.
    2. From End 2 trim, enter or select the trim dimension of end 2.

      A negative value lengthens the beam.

      You can check the preview in the 3D area to see the end numbers.
    3. From Vertical offset, enter the beam offset in the vertical direction.
    4. From Horizontal offset, enter the beam offset in the horizontal direction.

      The U, V, and W axes are displayed in the3D area.

    5. From Rotation, enter or select the angle in degrees for the beam counterclockwise rotation about its length.

      Valid range entries are from -360 to +360 degrees.

  10. Click Ok.